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The Nigerian Army on Friday announced a massive offensive plan against terrorists in the South-east, Middle Belt, South-south and South-west.
At a media briefing in Abuja, Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the special offensive against terrorists would start from October to December 2023.
The Army code-named the mission in the South-east as Exercise Golden Dawn III, which it said is aimed at restoring peace in the area during the yuletide celebration.
He said the army would also launch Exercise Enduring Peace III in the North-central and Exercise Still Waters III in the South-south and South-west.
He said Exercise Golden Dawn III would address terrorism, kidnapping for ransom and killings in the South-east.
Nwachukwu maintained that the exercises were in line with the Nigerian Army Training Directive for the year 2023 in collaboration with other security agencies.
“These exercises are designed to improve individual and collective professional competence and would dovetail into real time operations to tackle various peculiar security challenges in the geo-political zones”, Nwachukwu said.
He maintained that the exercise is aimed at tackling security challenges such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, communal clashes and sundry crimes which become more pronounced in the build up to the yuletide when many citizens return home to celebrate Christmas.
“The exercise will focus on enhancing the capabilities of our troops in intelligence gathering and effective, proactive response to criminalities. With the exercise, we aim to improve the security in the South-east and ensure safety of the populace during the period that will culminate in the yuletide,” he said.
Giving further details on other exercises, Nwachukwu said Exercise Enduring Peace III is focused on North-Central to address farmer-header conflicts, cattle rustling, banditry, kidnapping, ethno-religious conflicts and terrorism among others.
“The exercise will equip our troops with the necessary skills to combat banditry, including hostage rescue operations, intelligence-driven raids and effective coordination with other sister services and security agencies.
“Exercise Still Waters III, taking place in the South-South and South- West will target the menace of cultism, robbery and kidnapping. It will equally seek to address the challenges of pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage”, he said.
He affirmed that the exercise will also focus on securing critical infrastructure.
“Our troops would be trained on advanced surveillance techniques, rapid response tactics and the use of technology to effectively counter pipeline vandalism.
“By conducting this exercise, we aim to curb economic sabotage, protect national assets and ensure a stable environment for economic growth”, he said.
Nwachukwu noted that the Nigerian Army recognised the importance of collaboration and synergy among various security agencies in boldly confronting these security challenges.
“Accordingly, the Nigerian Army have been working closely with sister services and other agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service among others, to ensure well-coordinated and effective responses to these threats.
“Joint training exercises and intelligence sharing will be key components of our approach”, he said.
The Director of Public Relations reiterated that the Nigerian Army was resolute and committed to surmounting emerging security challenges in troubled parts of the country.
“Through the upcoming training Exercise Still Waters III, Exercise Golden Dawn III and Exercise Enduring Peace III, we project to enhance the capabilities of our troops, improve synergy with sister services and other security agencies and ultimately ensure the safety and security of the populace,” he said.
On the likelihood of a hijack of the exercises by fake soldiers, who might take advantage of the exercises or troop members in uniform who could use their position to intimidate civilians and eventually abuse the exercises, Nwachukwu said the Nigerian Army has a mechanism for checkmating abuse of projects.
Bennett Oghifo
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